More than 40 primary care workers at North York Family Health Team have ratified their first collective agreement following a 13-week strike that began in October 2025.
The Ontario Nurses’ Association members approved the contract with 84 per cent support, ending a labour dispute that centred on wages and the use of government funding.
Dispute over wage increases
The strike began after the family health team’s board of directors offered workers no wage increases despite receiving additional government funding intended for retention and recruitment, according to the union.
“This strike was about more than just fair wages. It was about respect and accountability to patients, workers and taxpayers across the province,” said Erin Ariss, a registered nurse and ONA provincial president.
The union said the Ford government and the Primary Care Action Team did not enforce funding guidelines to ensure public dollars reached workers as intended.
Return to work
Terms of the collective agreement were not disclosed. The workers will return to their positions at the North York facility.
“Front-line nurses and health-care workers deserve fair wages and working conditions, and patients deserve a system that actually invests in retaining the staff who care for them,” said Ariss.
The workers received support from community members, patients, physicians and elected officials during the strike, according to the union.
